Saint Vincent de Paul
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul is a lay Catholic organization whose mission is: “To live the Gospel message by serving Christ in the poor with love, respect, justice and joy.” Vincentians see Christ in anyone who suffers; come together as a family; have personal contact with the poor; help in all possible ways. Often these visitations happen weekly at homes of the poor and marginalized or at different community facilities.… Read more “Saint Vincent de Paul”
Hospiltality
Greeters
Greeters serve as part of the Hospitality Ministry at St. Anthony’s by welcoming parishioners and visitors. They promote a sense of welcoming and belonging. Greeters are the first contact that parishioners and visitors have as they enter the Church. They strive to welcome everyone with joy, kindness, reverence and an open heart.
Greeters are responsible for attending the Masses for which they are scheduled, arriving approximately 15 minutes before Mass begins.
If you would like to know more about this Ministry please contact Gloria Lowe by leaving a message for her at the parish office.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC)
St. Anthony’s Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) are properly formed, instructed and commissioned lay persons. They are appointed to aid in the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass and to the sick and home bound when the ordained Ministers are unavailable.
EMHC must be fully initiated and practicing members of the Church and be able to receive Holy Communion. They are chosen and appointed by the Pastor, usually for a 3-year term.
If you would like to learn more about this Ministry, please contact Gloria Lowe by leaving a message for her at the parish office.… Read more “Hospiltality”
Adult Faith Formation
At St. Anthony’s Parish we strive to offer a variety of experiences which will allow all members of ourcommunity to deepen their knowledge and understanding of our Catholic faith.
Each of our programs offers time for us to come together and to share thoughts and ideas, to ask questions, or just to listen and be listened to.
We offer variety. Our programs may be led by a speaker, be group based, be centred around a video and commentary on topics of global or local concern. We may have an eclectic agenda or a single core theme.
We try to follow the seasons of the Church, offering activities which will help prepare ourselves for an upcoming event or a specific holy day.
We are aware that not everyone is on the same schedule or works the same hours of the day. To accommodate this we try to vary the times programs and events which are offered; repeating those wherean alternate time slot is both available and appropriate.
“Another cup of coffee?” Whenever possible we try to provide refreshments which are appropriate to the hour and to the season.
…and we listen. We are always open to your thoughts, ideas and suggestions.… Read more “Adult Faith Formation”
Alpha
Alpha is a parish tool for evangelization based on hospitality, sharing and open conversation. The same Alpha content is run all over the world by Christians of all traditions and provides a common expression of proclamation, service and witness. Millions of people have experienced Alpha in 112 languages in 169 countries around the globe.
Alpha takes people on a journey often leading to a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. It enables people to ask their questions, share ideas, build friendships and experience the love of God through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is often done in an informal setting that includes watching a well-produced video series, a meal, and some time for community.… Read more “Alpha”
Catholic Women’s League
The Catholic Women’s League of Canada (CWL) is a national organization rooted in gospel values calling its members to holiness through services to the people of God. CWL members contribute to the life and vitality of the church, family and community, both at home and abroad. They also support the efforts of League members across Canada who diligently work to promote the teachings of the Catholic church. Our motto “For God and Canada” guides us in our cause. Members often support the work of the parish and her ministries through organized bake sales and other fundraising initiatives.… Read more “Catholic Women’s League”
Parish Religious Education for Children (PREP)
PREP is a Ministry that teaches the principles of the Catholic faith to those children (grade 1-7) of our Parish that attend public school or non-Catholic independent schools, preparing them to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, and perhaps even Baptism. Our purpose, together with the Pastor and Catholic parents, is to help develop the spiritual and intellectual growth of these students, enabling them as Christians to live, share and serve in the parish community.
The Catholic Church recognizes parents as the primary educators of their children and the PREP program is meant to help parents with this key responsibility as well as to support and nurture the child’s journey to know, love and serve God. Through PREP, parents and families have also the opportunity to renew their own faith foundation by studying with their children and participating in the life of the parish community and attending the many event and learning opportunity through the year. Please check the parish website for more information about these events.
Following the mandate and learning outcomes of the Archdiocese of Vancouver and with the direction of our parish pastor, the Very Reverend Father Gary Franken the teaching of the Catholic faith is coordinated by Sister Angela Marie and taught by volunteer catechists. Our catechists, who are parishioners of Saint Anthony, are encouraged to continue their own faith journey and education and attend workshops and retreats that will deepen their love and understanding of the faith. If you are interested in serving as a catechist in the PREP program, please contact the Parish office at 604-926-6881.
2020-2021 SCHEDULE
In the past years, our classes have been held every Wednesday, from 6pm to 7:15pm. At this time of pandemic we are working on providing a plan for a safe and healthy environment, that will be conducive to good learning and growth in the faith. The tentative start date for classes is in mid October. Please stay tune. The Registration Form is available on our parish website and at the parish office. If you have any questions, please contact Sister Angela Marie Castellani, FSE (PREP Coordinator) at prep.sawv@rcav.org or the parish office.
REGISTRATION
Please return the registration form for this year to the Parish office, with the correspondent fee and the copy of your children Baptismal Certificate.
COMMITMENT
PREP year builds on the previous year and each, and every grade is important. Families are encouraged to register their children from 1st to 7th grade. To be able to receive the Sacrament of Holy Community the student would need to complete grade 1 before registering for grade 2. To receive the Sacrament of Confirmation the student would need to complete grade 6 before registering for grade 7.… Read more “Parish Religious Education for Children (PREP)”
Prison Ministry
Prison Visitation is made up of men and women volunteers who minister to help our brothers and sisters “redeem, restore and reconcile” their lives, by visiting inmates in provincial and federal prisons. Inmates often feel unloved and unlovable, but have said in many ways that the volunteers show them that the community hasn’t given up on them. Volunteers visit in groups for various activities and programs such as Mass, Praise and Worship, Taize, Bible Study, Rosary Making, Houses of Healing, and many more.
Catholic Charities Justice Services (CCJS) of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese ofVancouver builds an educated Christ-centred community that upholds the dignity of every human person touched by crime. Our volunteers visit those in prison addressing their spiritual needs and walking with them on their journey of faith. Community support is offered to released offenders and victims of crime through programs such as CoSA(Circles of Support and Accountability) and V-CoS (Victim Circles of Support).
We also raise awareness through social justice and educational initiatives. Parish activities include prayer programs and card/calendar collection and distribution to federal and provincial facilities.
We are accepting volunteers aged 25 years and over to mediate God’s healing and restorative touch to all who have been impacted by crime.… Read more “Prison Ministry”
Christian Meditation
We are an ecumenical Christian meditation prayer group, which serves the parishioners and the community at large. We meet as a group “to nurture and communicate meditation as passed on in the Christian tradition through the teachings of Father John Main (a Benedictine monk) in the spirit of serving the unity of all.”
For more information see: The Canadian Christian Meditation Community
The Christian Meditation prayer group meets at St. Anthony’s Parish, in the church, every Tuesday at 7:15 pm.
We welcome you to join us and be spiritually nourished by participating together in this beautiful and joyful form of prayer.… Read more “Christian Meditation”
Parish Visitor Program
Trained volunteers visit parishioners to offer emotional and spiritual support during sickness, bereavement, or other life changes that may isolate them from the parish community. Visitors seek to live the Gospel values of patience, kindness, compassion, and gentleness, and to strengthen the parishioner’s connection with the parish community.
If you are interested in joining this ministry, please contact Gloria Lowe via the parish office.… Read more “Parish Visitor Program”
Youth Alpha
After the first successful Youth Alpha Movie Series, St. Anthony’s Parish will run the NEW YOUTH Alpha! STAY TUNED. The new series will be released in October and we will begin early November. Please call the office or email for the date of the next course and you will be contacted when a date is decided.
Alpha is a fun, dynamic and fast paced series. The meeting begins with a delicious meal, followed by the showing of the video and discussion. Alpha is a basic introduction to the Christian faith. It tackles life big questions, not assuming anything about the participants. There will also be an all-day outing at about half way the series.
You can find out more here: http://www.alphacanada.org/.
Alpha welcomes everybody, whether believers or none believers, Catholics or none Catholics. JOIN US and BRING A FRIEND!… Read more “Youth Alpha”